SPRINGFIELD - The line of those seeking to register their children with the Salvation Army for the annual Toy for Joy campaign stretched nearly all the way out to Pearl Street early Friday afternoon.

"It's been like this all morning," Maj. Thomas D. Perks, co-commander of the Greater Springfield Citadel said.

Several hours still remained for registrations in Springfield, and Perks said he expected to easily hit 5,000 families or more.

(Click on coupon to enlarge.)

Registrations are now closed for the annual holiday campaign which has started its 86th season. It is sponsored by both the Salvation Army and The Republican.

The collection of donations, however, has just begun.

Collections to date tally to $2,011 and $147,989 still needs to be raised by Christmas Eve in order to reach the $150,000 goal.

Along with Springfield, Salvation Army units in Holyoke, Westfield, Northampton and Greenfield are participating in the campaign.

"It's been very, very busy," said Salvation Army Capt. Persi M. Sanclemente of the Holyoke Citadel, "but, it's a good busy. At least people are knowing that we are here and able to help them."

Persi said the Holyoke Citadel had registered nearly 770 families by noon on Friday.

More and more working families, as well as those who have just lost their jobs, seem to be participating this year, Persi said.

That trend has held true elsewhere in Western Massachusetts, according to Salvation Army personnel.

Gail P. LaGasse, director of the Westfield Service Unit, said she saw a lot of new faces during the registration period.

"We have had more people who have never been here before," LaGasse said. "Either the mom or the dad has lost their job."

LaGasse said her total has exceeded last year with 392 Westfield families, representing some 905 children, registering this year.

The Salvation Army in Greenfield has also increased its numbers, according to Peggy J. Rockwood, a social worker for the Salvation Army.

Last year, 126 Franklin County families participated. This year that number swelled to 148, Rockwood said.

"More people have lost their jobs, or will lose their jobs by the end of the year, so they don't have any money for Christmas," Rockwood said.

Perks said he seen more families from outside Springfield seeking to register this season. Families have come to register from such communities as Agawam, Chicopee, West Springfield and Longmeadow, he said.

As in Westfield and elsewhere, many of those registering for the first time have been recently laid off, Perks said.

That's an issue, Perks said, that can be quite sensitive for these families because many are past donors to the Toy for Joy campaign.

For more information on Toy for Joy, call the Salvation Army at (413) 733-1518.

To make a contribution, write to Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield, MA 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon at The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Contributions will be taken in person at the newspaper until noon on Dec. 24.

Here's a list of the latest contributors:

In loving memory of Napoleon, Albertine, Robert, Barbara and Kevin Before and Maurice Habin, sadly missed by Lil Habin: $100.00